Does state government have policy framework for spending on ads: HC
WHAT THE PIL SAYS
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court (HC) on Wednesday sought to know if the state government had any policy regulating expenditure on advertisements following a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that the state government has spent a staggering Rs279 crore during the last two months on advertisements.
The division bench of justice Abhay Oka and justice Girish Kulkarni also sought to know if there was any fixed outlay for spending on advertisements.
The bench directed the state government to clarify the position by September 3, when the PIL will be heard next.
The PIL, filed by ex-member of legislative assembly, Baburao The PIL, filed by EX-MLA Baburao Mane, contended that despite being debt-ridden and facing an acute financial crunch, the state government has incurred a huge expenditure on advertisements
According to the PIL, during past two months, the government
Mane, contended that despite being debt-ridden and facing an acute financial crunch, the state government has incurred a huge expenditure on advertisements.
According to the PIL, during past two months, the government spent Rs259 crore and Rs50 crore on advertisements issued to the print and electronic
media.
The PIL contends that such an unreasonable and arbitrary exercise of power to spend public funds, particularly in view of the upcoming Assembly elections, was contrary to public interest. The funds should have been utilised for completing important public projects, it said.
Mane’s counsel, advocate Uday Warunjikar, pointed out that more government resolutions were being issued outlining further expenditure of crores of rupees on advertisements.
He sought permission to tender the same for the court’s perusal.
Government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani, however, submitted that the advertisements were being issued primarily to make the public aware about various welfare schemes introduced by the government.
Subsequently, the court directed him to make known if the state government has any policy for regulating expenditure to be incurred on advertisements and posted the PIL for further hearing on September 3.